The dawn breaks over a Tallahassee police investigation into the shooting at Strozier Library on the Florida State University campus. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

(Newser)
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A good book can change your life, but a couple of well-placed ones can save it, apparently. A Florida State University student says the books in his backpack stopped a bullet last night during the campus shooting, reports the Tallahassee Democrat. In a Facebook post complete with photos, Jason Derfuss, 21, says he didn't realize his close call until about three hours after the shooting, when he was safely home and opened his backpack. He had been in the campus library when the shooting began, having just checked out the books moments before. For the record, one is Great Medieval Thinkers by 14th-century philosopher John Wyclif.

"Earlier tonight there was a shooting at FSU, right as I was leaving Strozier," writes Derfuss, who credits his escape to divine intervention. "I didn't know this at the time, but the Shooter targeted me first. The shot I heard behind me I did not feel, nor did it hit me at all. He was about 5 feet from me, but he hit my books." The AP, meanwhile, has identified the shooter as FSU alum Myron May, who went on to get his law degree in Texas. May had reportedly returned to Florida and was preparing to take the state bar exam. Authorities haven't speculated about a motive. "He was struggling, like we all do, financially and otherwise," says a woman who had been allowing him to stay in her guesthouse. May, who shot three people, was killed by police. Two people remain hospitalized.